HERMAN ROTHCHILD. – Some of the leading mercantile and business establishments of Union county have been energized and built up largely by the new power infused into them from the later immigrants from the east, who brought with them from those centers of industry to these western points of distribution the sagacity, and successful methods of trade that have been learned by close and careful contact with keen competition and the wisest manipulators of finance and commerce. Among those who have made names for themselves and who have become established in the confidence of the people while they have built up establishments that are worthy of note in the business world is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph and who has both demonstrated excellent ability and manifested integrity in his career.
Mr. Rothchild was born on July 11, 1858, in Nordstetten, in the Black Forest in Wurtemberg, Germany, being the son of Abraham and Hannah Rothchild. Until he was ten years of age he attended the public schools of his native place, and then entered the high school at Horb, where he studied until he was fifteen years old, and then went to the capital of Stuttgart, entering the employ of a wholesale house. In this capacity he remained until 1882, and then came direct to the United States, settling for a brief time in Kentucky, and then coming on to Pendleton, where he entered the employ of Rothchild & Bean, general merchants. In this capacity he remained until 1885, and then came to North Powder to take the business of a cousin who was sick and later died. He bought the interest left by the deceased and in partnership with Henry O. Gorham took up the management of the general merchandise establishment, which at that time was rather limited, being conducted in a small wooden building, and the settlers in the valley being scattered and few. The railroad had just been completed and with its advent the country began to be settled rapidly, and the upright treatment accorded his patrons won for Mr. Rothchild a trade and business that was second to none in his vicinity, and a steady and rapid growth was made in their business until at the present time they have a large stone store building, well stocked with all kinds of merchandise to meet the necessities of the trade of that vicinity, while they also have three large grain warehouses. Their trade is large and every increasing and their customers are found in every walk of the thrifty communities and adjacent to North Powder. Mr. Rothchild is a cousin of the late S. Ottenheimer, the pioneer merchant of Auburn, and later of Baker City. In politics our subject is allied with the Democrats. Fraternally he is a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 88, of North Powder, being past grand of that order and charter member, the lodge being established in January, 1887. He has also served several times as representative to the grande lodge. Mr. Rothchild is also a member of the W. of W., of North Powder, and of the Elks in Baker City. He is an active, enterprising citizen of broad mind and public spirit and stands high in the esteem and respect of his fellows, and is one of the leading and substantial men of the community and county.